Like snakes, 100-loss baseball seasons often come in pairs

It’s a commonly known myth that snakes travel in pairs. Unfortunately, the same is true about 100-loss seasons. And there’s very little myth about it.

The good news is that the Astros have finally committed to the complete rebuilding program, trading away every worthwhile player possible this year. The bad news: Unless you’re an anomaly, apparently these 100-loss seasons do come in multiples.

Since 2000, eight teams have suffered through 17 different 100-loss seasons: Seattle (2), Pittsburgh (2), Washington (2), Kansas City (4), Tampa Bay (3), Arizona (1), Detroit (2), Milwaukee (1). As you can tell from the most recent standings, about half of those teams at least competed in 2011, and three of them will win their divisions this season.

Seattle 61-101, 2010.

Seattle, 61-101, 2008.

Pittsburgh 57-105, 2010.

Pittsburgh 62-100, 2001.

Washington, 59-103, 2009.

Washington, 59-102, 2008.

Kansas City, 62-100, 2006.

Kansas City 56-107, 2005.

Kansas City, 58-104, 2004.

Kansas City, 62-100, 2002.

Tampa Bay, 61-101, 2006.

Tampa Bay, 55-106, 2002.

Tampa Bay, 62-100, 2001.

Detroit, 43-119, 2003.

Detroit, 55-106, 2002.

Arizona, 51-111, 2004.

Milwaukee 56-106, 2002.

In the midst of despair and the fear that 2012 could signal a continued bottoming out, there is hope. If not for next year, perhaps a three-to-four year rebound. As you can see, Washington, Kansas City (twice), Tampa Bay and Detroit suffered back-to-back 100-loss seasons. Some teams, though, managed to turn things around the following year.

For example, Milwaukee had a 12-game improvement in 2003 (68-94) after that dismal 2002 and hit .500 again in 2005. Arizona produced a 26-game improvement in 2005 (77-85) en route to the NLCS in 2007 and an apparent division title this year. Does anyone see a 26-game improvement for the Astros next season?

Kansas City and Washington are perennial bottom feeders, though, and the Astros should draw many a lesson from the common threads in their progressions. While Kansas City continues to falter, the Nationals do seem to be headed in the right direction and may finish third this season after last place finishes six of the last seven years. The Royals, meanwhile, have won more than 69 games only once since 2003. ONCE! That’s just plain scary.

Dayton Moore has been general manager of the Royals since the middle of 2006, producing 69 wins in 2007, 75 in 2008, 65 in 2009, 67 last year and 67 thus far this season. If you’re mad at Ed Wade, consider the frustration of Royals’ fans. Oh, and one other thing: Moore has a contract through 2014! Nice deal.

Obviously, Tampa Bay is the model and the Astros would certainly do well to emulate Gerry Hunsicker, Andrew Friedman and their friends.

Regardless, it’s obvious that this winter may be the biggest in recent memory if the Astros hope to avoid the double-dip, lightning strikes twice syndrome. Unfortunately, the sale/no sale of the team may have the biggest impact, leaving Wade in limbo while Bud Selig decides if he likes Jim Crane or not.

So, will the Astros join the Nationals, Royals, Rays and Tigers as teams in the past decade with back-to-back 100-loss seasons? Or will your favorite nine more likely turn it around with a 10 or 20 game improvement?